Microsoft Will Have to Rename SkyDrive, BSkyB Wins Legal Battle

A month ago, Microsoft was involved in a legal battle in the United Kingdom, when the court found that there was a conflict between Microsoft’s SkyDrive and a trademark owned by the British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSkyB). Back then, the UK court ruled that Microsoft was infringing the BSkyB’s trademark. And now we have confirmation that Microsoft will be forced to change the SkyDrive brand name.

Yesterday, BSkyB informed that the Redmond company will not appeal the court ruling which means this can be considered as a final result in this legal battle. The British broadcasting company will let Microsoft use the brand for an unspecified amount of time, but one that should be enough for the company to come up with a new brand and a new name. Microsoft has confirmed court’s ruling:

We’re glad to have resolution of this naming dispute, and will continue to deliver the great service our hundreds of millions of customers expect, providing the best way to always have your files with you.

If you remember, Microsoft lost another branding battle on European grounds. In the beginning, Microsoft called “Metro” its Windows 8 user interface and applications. The German retailer Metro AG managed to make Microsoft quite the “Metro” moniker, without even having to go to court.

BSkyB’s comments on their tradermark win:

We are pleased to have reached a settlement after Microsoft agreed not to appeal the trade mark infringement judgment in relation to its SkyDrive service. We will remain vigilant in protecting the Sky brand and will continue to take appropriate action against those companies who seek to use our trade mark without consent.